On 18 February 2019, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture Samir Nuriyev received Mr. Erkin Iskandarov, Deputy Minister of Construction of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and his delegation.

The delegation of Uzbekistan visited Baku to learn the experience of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the area on Urban planning and construction. The delegation comprises officials of the Uzbek Ministry of Construction and representatives of the country’s Cabinet of Ministers, Prosecutor General’s Office, and leaders of several large state companies.

Having welcomed the foreign guests, Samir Nuriyev informed them that the country’s President Mr. Ilham Aliyev remains constantly focused on urban development issues. Also, he provided information on the measures implemented in the country to boost the effectiveness and improve public governance processes in the area on Urban planning and architecture, based on the Decrees signed by the head of the country in 2018. The major goal of the reforms implemented in this area is to ensure well-planned and systemic management of the ongoing urbanization process in the country, Chairman noted.

Samir Nuriyev said that international organizations, too, highly appreciate Azerbaijan’s systemic approach in this area.

Thus, Doing Business 2019: Training for Reform, a World Bank Group flagship publication, has declared that Azerbaijan implemented a record number of reforms to rank 25th among 190 states this year, topping CIS counties. According to the new Report, Azerbaijan also implemented a significant improvement by climbing 100 spots in the area of providing "Construction permits."

The Committee Chairman informed the foreign guests on the last Presidential Decree signed on 28 December 2018 to ensure the improvement of governance in this area and provided the most comprehensive information on simplification of the construction permit and occupancy permit procedures for construction projects as well as activities implemented to enhance the level of transparency in this area. He mentioned that a new electronic system was created to provide certain construction projects with the construction and occupancy permits based on the single window principle. Taking this opportunity, the Chairman invited members of the Uzbek delegation to take part in the new electronic system presentation to be made by the Committee on 21 February 2019.

In the meanwhile, foreign guests also received comprehensive information on the scope of activities implemented to provide the country's cities with appropriate master plans to ensure their sustainable and systemic development. It was stressed that this activity constitutes one of the Committee’s major duties, and it should be implemented in compliance with the best international experience. He reported that, in 2018, the Committee hired a reputable international company to ensure proper preparation of the Baku City Master Plan in compliance with modern standards. Phase 1 of the development process was successfully completed, he said. The area planning documents produced in the past years to ensure proper development of the Absheron Peninsula underwent appropriate reassessment. At the same time, priority areas of activity have been defined to ensure the development of the capital city and prepare the future concept of Baku urban development plan based on the available international experience and modern trends. The Phase 1 activities centered on the development of appropriate project proposal with a view of holding an open tender procedure aimed at selecting an internationally recognized urban planning company. Large urban development companies from various countries around the world sent their proposals to the tender commission. Reportedly, the bidding outcomes will be announced in March 2019. Following that, Phase 2 of the preparation of the Baku City Master Plan will be launched.

This was followed by the speech of Mr. Erkin Iskandarov, the Deputy Minister of Construction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He cordially thanked the Azerbaijani authorities for their warm welcome and the comprehensive information provided. The Deputy Minister expressed great interest in and high appreciation of the achievements resulting from the implementation of the state policy in the area on Urban planning, architecture, construction, improvement of governance, and state regulation. On behalf of Abdukhkhor Tukhtayev, the Minister of Construction of Uzbekistan, he sincerely thanked Chairman Samir Nuriyev for the opportunity to become closely acquainted with Azerbaijan’s experience in this area and discuss future cooperation opportunities.

Erkin Iskandarov, in turn, provided extensive information on the major areas of his ministry’s activity and its past achievements in the area on Urban development and construction as well as its future plans. He also expressed his satisfaction with the detailed information his delegation could acquire on a number of important areas during the visit to Azerbaijan.

This was followed by the extended meeting participated by heads of the Committee’s subordinate entities responsible for various areas of activity. The meeting centered on the bilateral cooperation opportunities and future exchange of experience.

In the course of the one-week business visit to Baku, the delegation from Uzbekistan will meet with representatives of the Baku the State Design Institute and the Azerbaijan Research Institute of Construction and Architecture under the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture as well as heads of respective state bodies, experts and entrepreneurs.